BEAST Posted April 13, 2014 Share #1 Posted April 13, 2014 PVT Long grew up in Nashville, IND and was drafted in April 1943. He trained at Seymour Johnson Field, NC and was selected as a ASTP student, studying first at Clemson College, Maine and later attending the University of Maine. Once the ASTP program was ended, he was assigned to Camp Forrest, Tennessee. There he volunteered for airborne training and completed the jump school at Camp Forrest. Note: the photo above and the document below is not in my collection but was part of a scrapbook that was recently sold on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted April 13, 2014 The remaining items shown in this thread are from my personal collection. Identification bracelet given to Long inscribed on the back with "Love Pat" Long was assigned to Company D, 194th GIR, 17th Airborne Division. He was sent overseas in August of 1944. When the Germans attacked in the Ardennes in December, the 194th was rushed forward, going on the offensive in January. Long was part of this counterattack, surviving it, but suffering frozen feet. He was hospitalized but returned to duty. Along with the rest of the 194th GIR, Long took part in Operation Varsity. He wrote his parents on MArch 30th "I'm still in one piece plugging right along through the Reich, if you've been following the news. Had a pretty rough trip so far, but am rather enjoying the idea of knocking this country apart like they have been doing to others." On April 5th, as part of the 8th Armored Divisions attack into the Ruhr, the 194th GIR(-) was attached to Combat Command A, 8th AD. They were tasked with clearing the areas between the Moline and Ruhr Rivers. Having cleared their objective, they were ordered on, seizing the town of Kalkhardt on April 6th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted April 13, 2014 Share #3 Posted April 13, 2014 Cool bracelet! I remember seeing this group on ebay.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted April 13, 2014 Having been pushed out of the town, the Germans regrouped and Battle Group Hass counterattacked with 150-200 troops and heavy artillery. The 194th was able to repluse the attack, but it was here the PVT Long was killed. Longs family received a memorial letter from President Roosevelt and a letter explaining the meaning of the Purple Heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted April 13, 2014 In 1948, PVT Long was returned to the US and was buried in Helmsburg, Indiana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted April 13, 2014 A scrapbook was sold with letters, telegrams, etc. that was kept by Long's mother. I am hoping the buyer will see this thread and will contribute to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted April 13, 2014 Cool bracelet! I remember seeing this group on ebay.... Thanks! Wish I could have kept it together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellasilva Posted April 13, 2014 Share #8 Posted April 13, 2014 Very sobering story to a brave young soldier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 13, 2014 Share #9 Posted April 13, 2014 Thanks for posting, Its too bad this got split up. Its becoming the norm rather than the exception anymore. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted April 14, 2014 Thanks for posting, Its too bad this got split up. Its becoming the norm rather than the exception anymore. Kurt Fortunately,the Purple Heart documents were purchased by a forum member who then offered them for sale here. I was extremely pleased to be able to put this small group together again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted April 14, 2014 Share #11 Posted April 14, 2014 Fantastic Hoosier group for your collection E!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted April 14, 2014 Fantastic Hoosier group for your collection E!!!!! Thanks Brian! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted April 14, 2014 I need to get access to a larger scanner, but here is the seller's photo of the accolade sent to Long's family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 10, 2015 Author Share #14 Posted April 10, 2015 In remembrance of the 70th anniversary of his sacrifice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TFH Posted July 11, 2015 Share #15 Posted July 11, 2015 A scrapbook was sold with letters, telegrams, etc. that was kept by Long's mother. I am hoping the buyer will see this thread and will contribute to it. LONG SCRAPBOOK COVER.jpg Hi I am fortunate to be the owner of this scrapbook with a lot of document of Mr Long ! TFH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted July 11, 2015 Share #16 Posted July 11, 2015 The plot thickens. It's interesting how far and wide a person's history can spread out over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted July 11, 2015 Hi I am fortunate to be the owner of this scrapbook with a lot of document of Mr Long ! TFH Fantastic! Please feel free to add to this thread. Are there any references to "Pat"? This is the name on the back of the bracelet. I assume it is his girlfriend, but I haven't found out who it really is. BTW, over a year ago, I requested the IDPF. Once it arrives, if you are interested, I can make a copy of it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted February 8, 2016 I received the IDPF today and in the inventory of personal effects his identification bracelet is listed. I also have what I believe to be the religious emblem mentioned in the inventory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted February 8, 2016 Share #19 Posted February 8, 2016 Very Nice Erick, BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share #20 Posted February 9, 2016 Very Nice Erick, BKW Thanks Brian! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted February 9, 2016 Share #21 Posted February 9, 2016 Quite a sobering and personal piece of history. To know that bracelet was probably on him when he was KIA is something in itself. RIP Pvt Long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share #22 Posted February 9, 2016 Quite a sobering and personal piece of history. To know that bracelet was probably on him when he was KIA is something in itself. RIP Pvt Long. USDog, When the bracelet became available on eBay, one of my first thoughts was that it could have been something he was wearing when he was killed. The IDPF proved that it was at least part of his effects that were overseas with him (as opposed to something he left at home before he went overseas). I have a few killed in action Purple Hearts which help to tell the story of sacrifice, but this bracelet personalizes this soldier's loss even more to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted January 15, 2018 Author Share #23 Posted January 15, 2018 Having been pushed out of the town, the Germans regrouped and Battle Group Hass counterattacked with 150-200 troops and heavy artillery. The 194th was able to repluse the attack, but it was here the PVT Long was killed. LONG PH DOC edited.jpg Longs family received a memorial letter from President Roosevelt and a letter explaining the meaning of the Purple Heart. ULIO LETTER.jpg I was searching through Newspapers.com and found an article on PVT Long. Part of the article provides more details on his death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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